Ashish Chanchlani, one of India’s most influential digital creators and comedic actors, recently detailed his harrowing experience dealing with multiple FIRs and police investigations following a controversial appearance on the YouTube comedy show, India’s Got Latent.
Speaking on a recent podcast with Prakhar Gupta, Chanchlani revealed that he and his family were targeted by legal authorities and online mobs after a February episode of the unhinged comedy series went viral for jokes made by fellow panellists.
Chanchlani, known for his relatable middle-class sketches and over 30 million subscribers, explained that despite being a silent participant during the most controversial segments, he became the primary target for local authorities in Mumbai because he was the most recognizable face on the panel at the time.
The controversy stems from an episode of India’s Got Latent, a talent-hunt parody show created by comedian Samay Raina, which features a panel of influencers and comedians judging participants in an unfiltered format.
Chanchlani noted that the backlash intensified after high-ranking political figures, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, publicly criticized the content of the show, prompting immediate police action.
He described the surreal experience of sitting in a police station for hours, explaining the nuances of the YouTube ecosystem, such as members-only content and digital monetization, to officers who were under immense pressure to investigate the viral clips.
The legal fallout extended beyond Maharashtra, with Chanchlani facing FIRs as far away as Assam and Rajasthan. He recounted the distress of seeing his effigies burned and receiving abusive messages directed at his parents, a common occurrence in the toxic side of social media known as trolling.
Chanchlani admitted that the ordeal has fundamentally changed his approach to content, stating he now feels the need to be extremely cautious or “blow on cold buttermilk before drinking it” whenever he speaks publicly to avoid further legal entanglement.
Despite the “cancel culture” (a form of social shaming where a person is pushed out of social or professional circles) surrounding the episode, Chanchlani used the period of relative silence to focus on his directorial debut, Ekaki.
The five-part series represents Chanchlani’s attempt to move beyond short-form sketches into high-concept storytelling, blending horror, science fiction, and survival drama.
He revealed that a significant portion of the project’s budget was self-funded and dedicated to high-quality visual effects (VFX), aiming to prove that Indian digital creators can produce cinematic content that rivals traditional film industries.
Ashish Chanchlani, who started his journey on Instagram before becoming a cornerstone of the Indian YouTube community alongside peers like Bhuvan Bam and CarryMinati, continues to be a pivotal figure in the creator economy.
His recent transition from a pure “sketch comedian” to a writer and director signals a broader trend of veteran influencers seeking longevity by diversifying into long-form, prestige content.
While the legal shadows of India’s Got Latent still linger, Chanchlani emphasised his commitment to nurturing new talent and producing stories that challenge the traditional Bollywood formula.
